§ 9. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that miners living in prefabricated houses in South Wales experience severe hardships through the electricity cuts; that electricity is the only means of cooking in these houses; that, as miners return from work during the hours when the use of electricity is banned, they are unable to get their accustomed hot meal after their day's work in the pit or to get hot water to bath; and if he will take steps to mitigate these hardships.
§ Mr. ShinwellThese difficulties are fully appreciated and the whole question of domestic electricity restrictions is being reconsidered.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that there are two ways of meeting this difficulty: first, the provision of larger grates in these prefabricated houses which he might take up with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, and, second, the speedy provision of pit head baths?
§ Mr. ShinwellEverything that can be done is being done by the Miners' Welfare Commission and we are doing all that is possible, in view of material shortages, to provide pit head bath facilities. As regards the provision of new grate appliances, I am afraid that is a matter which is not under my jurisdiction.